Top 10 Billboard Chart Topping Rock Songs of the 2010s
Who said rock was dead? Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the Top 10 Billboard Chart Topping Rock Songs of the 2010s. For this list, we're focusing on the definitive rock songs of the decade that became Billboard #1s, whether it was the Hot 100, Rock or alternative charts.
Special thanks to our user Godslayer79 for submitting the idea using our interactive suggestion tool at http://www.WatchMojo.comsuggest
#10: “Come a Little Closer” (2013)
Cage the Elephant
Inspired by a night on the band’s South American tour, a Brazilian sunrise andthe unknown mysteries that lay before him, lead singer Matt Schultz wrote a meditative and slightly melancholic composition to capture his experiences. Unbeknownst to the singer, “Come a Little Closer” would soon become one ofthe surprise hits of 2013, with its cryptic lyrical content and a musical bed suitable for the band’s psychedelic appeal. At this very moment, some of you Mojoholics may be learning of Cage the Elephant for the first time, and well, takethe title as an invitation to have your mind blown.
#9: “Madness”
Muse (2012)
The English band Muse captured this debilitating form of madness with an appropriately entitled tune that topped the alternative charts for a solid nineteen weeks, large in part to lead singer Matthew Bellamy’s hypnotic vocals. An experimental track for the rock band, the song explodes into an emotional climax with stunning guitar effects, and a beat that just won’t quit. With this cerebral #1,the world received yet another powerhouse release from one of the most esteemed rock bands of the last 20 years and certainly one of the best live actsof all time.
#8: “Pumped Up Kicks” (2010)
Foster the People
When former jingle writer Mark Foster wrote this story of a teenage homicidal maniac, it would be an understatement to say the indie music scene went crazy. After “Pumped Up Kicks” connected with listeners seeking a new sound, it became a rare alternative single to reach #1 on the Billboard charts. With a catchy as hell chorus and a beat that even mainstream music listeners could latch onto, the song also hit number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
#7: “Radioactive” (2012)
Imagine Dragons
Ok, let’s be honest. The opening 30 seconds of “Radioactive” may not immediately grab your attention with all the “Oohs” and the “Aahs,” BUT as soon as the beat drops you’ll be right on board and singing along. And perhaps that’s why this Imagine Dragons megahit stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for 87 long weeks. With a universal theme of personal reawakening, and a music video featuring Lou Diamond Phillips and a pre-“True Detective” Alexandra Daddario, “Radioactive” slowly became one of the most surprising hits of recent years, and led to a mythical collaboration with Kendrick Lamar.
#6: “Rope” (2011)
Foo Fighters
Ok, everybody loves a little nostalgia, and this throwback hit captured a 90s vibe across the board. From the VHS-shot music video to the progressive-style chords and the catchy chorus, “Rope” was built to become a mainstream hit, and it topped the Billboard Rock charts for 20 weeks. In fact, Foo Fighters debuted at #1, and when the momentum finally slipped, they immediately took overthe topspot again with another classic entitled “Walk.” Dave Grohl’s Foo Fighters have been releasing some of the greatest rock songs of recent times, and they are showing no sign of slowing down.
#5: “Pompeii” (2013)
Bastille
If you’re familiar with Roman history then you will most likely be familiar with theinspiration behind this next number 1 hit. An instant indie pop smash, “Pompeii” became Bastille’s introduction to American audiences as the song hit number 1 on multiple US charts, and number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song takes on for a metaphorical story of modern love, as the lyrics convey someone trying to see the light and hoping not be crushed by the figurative ash of seismic passion.
#4: “Take Me to Church” (2013)
Hozier
Now here’s a case of a struggling singer-songwriter propelled to fame due to thepower of social media. With themes of sexuality and religion, “Take Me to Church” utterly transformed the life Andrew Hozier-Byrne, as the controversial song peaked at #2 on the Hot 100 and reached #1 on the rock charts. While thetune was written as a breakup song, the music video tells a much different story, and the black and white production immediately become a viral sensation upon release. Representative of a new progressive world, “Take Me to Church” also earned Hozier a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year.
#3: “1901” (2009)
Phoenix
A certified platinum song in the United States, this musical take on a beloved city introduced mainstream listeners to the French band from Versailles. Althoughthe song was released toward the tail end of the 2000s, the song hit the top ofthe Alt-Rock chart in February of 2010, kicking off the new decade in style. Although you might’ve heard “1901” on numerous commercials, it only managed to reach #84 on the Hot 100, but it’s without a doubt one of our favorite indie jams of the 21st century.
#2: “Tighten Up” (2010)
The Black Keys
For years, a blues-rock tandem from Akron, Ohio toiled away as one of the most respected underground bands around, and with this track about wild love, theBlack Keys not only scored their first Hot 100 hit but took home a Grammy for Best Rock Performance. Recorded at the legendary Muscle Shoals studio, “Tighten Up” was born out of some down time, as Patrick Carney, Dan Auerbach and producer Danger Mouse hit the studio to create a garage rock jam for theages. And given the playful nature of the music video, the entire process seemed to be a helluva time. Of course, rock fans agreed, as “Tighten Up” topped the charts and transitioned The Black Keys to mainstream stars.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Ain’t It Fun” (2014)
Paramore
“Kings and Queens” (2009)
Thirty Seconds to Mars
“The Sound of Winter” (2011)
Bush
“Little Talks” (2011)
Of Monsters and Men
“Lampshades on Fire” (2015)
Modest Mouse
#1: “Do I Wanna Know?” (2013)
Arctic Monkeys
For this #1 single recorded in Joshua Tree, California, Arctic Monkeys explored themes of unrequited love and that undeniable urge to drunk dial. Combined with the trippy music video, Alex Turner’s vocals provide for a psychedelic experience, thus capturing what it feels like to be completely in love or just plain freaked out that you might get dumped. “Do I Wanna Know” has become a popular cover song and also become a modern anthem for young rock fans with its marching rhythm and meditative lyrics.
So, do you agree with our selections? What is your favorite Billboard chart topping rock song of the2010s? For more mind-blowing Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.